November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Statistics show that as much as 21% of adults in Lexington County, South Carolina smoke. Our hospital offers a lung cancer screening program for early detection of lung cancer as well as a free smoking-cessation program.

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer at Lexington Medical Center and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Often, it’s not caught until it’s too late to provide effective treatment. The lung cancer screening program assists with early detection in high-risk patients.

Screening participants who still smoke are referred to Lexington Medical Center’s smoking-cessation class, which takes place at Lexington Medical Center’s community medical center in Lexington once a week.

Our hospital clinicians talked about these programs on WLTX this month. You can view the interview below.

The lung cancer screening costs $149, which is about the cost of three cartons of cigarettes. The Lung Cancer Alliance recently named Lexington Medical Center a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence for its efforts to diagnose patients with early-stage lung cancer.

The smoking-cessation class lasts eight weeks. It’s open to anyone who wants to quit smoking and, because of a generous grant from the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, it’s free. Participants also have an above-average success rate.

If you or someone you know wants to quit smoking and participate in Lexington Medical Center’s smoking-cessation program, please call (803) 358-6180.

Please join us in welcoming the holiday season by viewing our annual Christmas television commercial. This year’s spot pays tribute to pet therapy and debuts today.

Featuring a pet therapy dog named Bailey who travels through the hospital inviting patients and employees to a holiday celebration, the 60-second commercial inspires feelings of hope, peace and joy. The commercial includes Lexington Medical Center employees, a talented lead singer and a Christmas music concert featuring Alan Jackson’s song, “Let It Be Christmas.” It was filmed on our hospital campus in West Columbia.

Studies have shown that pet therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people with a range of health problems, including those receiving cancer treatment or patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure. Family members, friends and staff feel better, too.
You can watch the Christmas commercial on the hospital’s YouTube channel or during your favorite Christmas TV show this holiday season.

We hear it all the time “I’m on a low carb diet” or “I don’t eat carbs”. We see it in the news and on social media. Are carbohydrates good or bad, do we choose them, avoid them or limit them?

What really is a carbohydrate? A Carbohydrate is a macronutrient and major energy source in our diet coming from plants. Carbohydrates can be simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are fast and easy for the body to digest. Although in some situations this is good, people with diabetes or those interested in losing or maintaining weight loss want to choose complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are intact and whole foods: Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates are higher in FIBER.

If we all need carbohydrates to fuel our bodies, why do we hear about low carbohydrate diets? Highly processed foods (foods that are prepackaged, premade, fast foods) are generally low in fiber (and often high in sugar and calories) making it easier for us to over indulge which could result in too many total calories, weight gain and high blood sugar for someone with diabetes.

In general, all foods in moderation can fit into a healthy diet. For people with diabetes, moderating and portion controlling carbohydrates — especially starchy carbohydrates and fruit — and choosing higher fiber versions not only helps improve and balance blood sugar but may also help with weight loss.

A standard serving of carbohydrates is equal to 15 grams if reading a food label and a higher fiber choice is equal to 4 grams of fiber or more per serving. If there is no label, then measuring ½ cup cooked or using the palm of your hand (no fingers) is a good general guide for a serving of carbohydrates. For most people, 60 grams or four servings of carbohydrates is a normal and reasonable meal plan. Here is an example I use with my clients to show how much food can equal 60 grams.

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This blog is intended for general understanding and education about Lexington Medical Center. Nothing on the blog should be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Blog visitors with personal health or medical questions should consult their health care provider.